The topic of “mega-transfers” has once again come to the fore as PSG failed to defeat Real Madrid in the​​ sbothai first round of the Champions League knockout stage.In a recent article for Abendzeitung München, Patrick Mayer argues that “PSG’s weakness demonstrates Bayern’s strength,” noting that the Parisian club, which invests large sums every year, is now threatened with a 6th early elimination in a row.

Mayer contends that “for years, Paris Saint-Germain, funded by Qatar Sports Investments, has tried to impose its own laws on the Champions League and international football.” To that end, the French club spent €222m to sign Neymar from Barcelona and a rumored €180m to sign Kylian Mbappé from Monaco last summer. Despite millions in expenditure, though, PSG face the prospect of yet another Champions League with nothing to show. The club still has never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.​sbothai

PSG in contextThere is constant debate about why Bayern Munich reject the market competition and, to a large extent, its new laws. We must remember that the Bavarians have reached at least the Champions League semifinals five times in the past six seasons, winning in 2012-13.However, it is premature to validate the policy adopted by the Bavarians based solely on the French club’s expenditure: although PSG have a tall task before them, 90 minutes remain to be played in Paris, and there is no doubt about the quality of their squad. Their round-of-16 tie versus Real Madrid is still wide open.

Focusing such a broad debate on PSG and their possible failure against Real Madrid therefore seems like an oversimplification. The Parisian team won their group but were unlucky to draw Real Madrid as early as the Round of 16 (the Spanish club finished runners-up in their group). By comparison, in the last six years, Bayern have met Real Madrid three times in the knockout stages, but beat the Spanish side only in 2012.

The investments made by PSG have been monumental, but they are not the only factors that define the new market. Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​and top EPL clubs such as Manchester City, among others, have also gradually set new financial parameters. Spanish clubs have been more successful than Bayern in European competition during this same period..sbothai